Resources for Returning Veterans

Are you a returning military veteran?

The Student Counseling Service at Texas A&M University thanks you for the service you have given to our country. We are honored to be able to assist you in meeting your academic, career, and personal needs as you return to civilian life and pursue your educational goals.

Here, you will find information and resources that may be helpful as you adjust/readjust to college life. Whether you are just beginning your college career or are about to graduate, there is usually a significant amount of stress in transitioning from military to civilian life. This transition can lead to several challenges, including academic, social, physical, financial, emotional, and relational.

Deployment experiences can sometimes leave you feeling alienated from others and feeling “different.” In addition, the structure of military life may not carry over to your college studies, so that managing your own time and schedule becomes a surprising challenge. Your role change to a college student may be frustrating at times, affecting your personal relationships as well as your academic success. Some veterans struggle with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, which can be difficult as they manage disturbing memories and other symptoms of their combat experiences.

Making an appointment with an SCS counselor can be helpful in assessing your concerns and in making recommendations for your success.

How We Can Help

The Student Counseling Service offers several services that may be helpful to veterans:

Group for Returning Veterans: This group provides support, understanding, and suggestions to help students deal with the readjustment challenges unique to returning veterans.

Individual Personal Counseling: Personal counseling can facilitate self-discovery and growth and helps to increase self-confidence and improve relationships. Couples therapy is also available.

Learning Disabilities Screening: If a student feels he/she may be struggling with a learning disability, the SCS can provide screening assessments to help determine if more formal evaluation is indicated.

Career Counseling and Testing Services: Group and individual career counseling services can help students make informed vocational plans, choose a major, or plan for graduate study.

Other Groups and Workshops: Groups and workshops are available to address academic issues, career concerns, and personal issues.

Crisis Intervention: If you find yourself in a crisis situation, come to the SCS (Student Services @ White Creek). The SCS is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. After 5:00 p.m. and on weekends, call the SCS HelpLine at 979.845.2700 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.

Tips for Successful Transitioning*

Connect with other veterans on campus. Other veterans have an intuitive understanding of the experience and impact of being in combat and of the additional challenges that veteran students face in college.

Establish new relationships. Getting involved with clubs and organized activities can break down walls and connect you with others having similar interests.

Work to reestablish existing relationships. To avoid unanticipated stresses and challenges, veterans and family members must openly communicate about how responsibilities and roles have changed during the deployment period.

Take care of your emotional well being. Unlike what is expected on the battlefield, expressing and showing emotions does not indicate weakness and helps sustain meaningful personal relationships in civilian life.

Pay attention to your physical well-being. Eat well-balanced meals, get plenty of rest, and build physical activity into daily life.

Limit use of alcohol and drugs. Use of these substances increases the likelihood of depression, insomnia, relationship problems, academic difficulties, legal troubles and a host of other negative issues

Develop good academic habits. Start with a manageable course load and set reasonable goals. Establish a daily schedule to maximize organization.

Seek balance in life. Balance negative and pessimistic thoughts by focusing on experiences which are meaningful, comforting, and encouraging.

To Register for SCS Services

Your pin # will be your date of birth written as follows:
Example: February 3, 1988
020388

After completing the registration materials, please click the final submit button. Within one business day, you should receive an e-mail message confirming your appointment.

If you do not receive the email confirmation or have difficulty registering, please call the SCS for further assistance at 979.845.4427.

If you find yourself in a crisis situation, you may come to the SCS (Student Services @ White Creek) for crisis intervention during business hours 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday. After 5:00 p.m. and on weekends, call the SCS HelpLine at 979.845.2700 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Accessibility

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)accommodations are made in accordance with the law. If you require ADA accommodations, please indicate what your needs are at the time you register for services, or five working days before the program you plan to attend. Texas A&M University has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, admission to Texas A&M University and any of its sponsored programs are open to all qualified individuals without regard to subgroup, class or stereotype.